What an incredible blessing a baby is to a mother, father, and family! As we wait to hold our newest little member of the family we continue to lift praises to God for the blessing of life!

Each year our local Pregnancy Center hosts a walk for life in downtown Culpeper. It was with great joy and desire that we as a family went and served this powerful, life changing ministry in this endeavor.

What a blessing it was to see so many individuals from different churches represented that day. We all linked arms together in a cause worthy of our prayers, time, and resources.

It is sobering to realize that 42% of women have aborted at least once. 21% of those 42% have aborted more than once. We must be crying out to God that He would have mercy on us and bring a revival to our nation! Abortions wont stop till the needs, hurts, fears, and pain that women are facing in our culture are enveloped in the love of the Giver of Life -Jesus Christ. Through Christ, we can be used to bring that message of peace, love and life.

How will the world know us? By the love we have one towards another.

John 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Revival must start in our hearts first. May God give us a burden for the needy. They are all around us. Are we willing to walk along side them and help them carry their burden to the foot of the cross? 

The world is crying out for answers. People need help walking through their past. They are desperately seeking peace, hope, and joy. But where are the laborers? Do we see the need?

I have been extremely convicted lately of my lack of fervency for the lost. It is so easy to get caught up in my day to day activities that the bigger picture can become foggy. We must do a reality check often. We must ask ourselves – Why are we here? Christ could come at any moment! Are we fulfilling the work of God?    

Christ himself read these verses to the Jews present that day in the synagogue, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19)

This is what we are to be about! Go forward living by faith. Establish yourself in the truth. Live like it is your last day. Love the unlovable. Then watch God strengthen, establish, and settle you as you understand more and more His nature.

What a glorious time of the year! There are so many reminders of the incredible gift of life during this beautiful season of spring!

I look outside and I see our flower gardens bursting out with fresh green shoots. Tulips standing straight and tall with their stark colors of purple, pink, white, and red contrasting against the green around them. Iris’s dancing in the wind, and the clematis beginning it’s upward climb on the garden arbor. What an incredible Creator we have!

Yet, the gift of life doesn’t stop in the garden…….. Life expresses it’s self in many different ways and forms.

Along with the gift of life comes the responsibility of life. We will face challenges, joys, trials, trying circumstance, temptations to sin, opportunities to forgive, the ability to experience the beauty of God’s mercy and love, and the list could go on and on.

As we fulfill our daily responsibilities may we not forget to see the beauty of what God has given us. Take the time to express your gratefulness to God and others. Take time to enjoy the beauty of His creation

We have been given so much! Praise the Lord for the family He has placed you in. We all were given life at this time in history, born to specific families, and have been called by God to be ambassadors of Jesus Christ.

Rejoice in your salvation! This is the most precious and meaningful gift ever offered to mankind! We have been given so much through Jesus Christ. May we never cease to sing His praises!

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

The joy, enthusiasm, and energy that everyone had in their labor was contagious!

The goal was to plant all the berry plants that day. We were a little doubtful as to if that was possible but we committed ourselves and our plans to the Lord and resolved to proceed with diligence. Knowing if God permitted, it would be accomplished!

The Dunn family came over and linked arms with us in this endeavor. What an unexpected blessing their help, fellowship and unending energy was!

God loves to show Himself strong! Especially when we by faith step out to do something that we think is beyond our ability.

By God’s grace we planted the 150th blueberry plant just as the sun was setting on the Shenandoah mountains.

Is this not how God likes to work?

He gives us a challenge and teaches us to walk by faith and not by sight.

He requires diligence and faithfulness from us but tells us to leave the results in His hands.

He reminds us not to focus on the outcome but on listening and heeding the still small voice of the Lord.

So when we see our Savoir face to face we can say with joy, “It was worth it all!”

At the beginning of each new year we love to take a couple days to go and revisit the vision God has placed on our family. Then talk about how it will look in the coming year.

There are so many exciting things on the horizon for us to be involved in, coupled with continuing to build upon those things we started in the past.

Grandpa and Grandma Wilkes graciously offered us their cottage on the water. A perfect place it was to plan, relax, and enjoy one another.

As we look forward into the future, we realize it will not be a bed of rose petals. For the beauty and fragrance of a rose comes with thorns in it’s side.

It’s a given that there will  be hardships and challenges to walk through.

Unknowns to face.

Times of perplexity.

Times of waiting.

Failure to respond to challenges correctly.

Sin to repent of.

People to forgive and release emotionally.

Opportunities to respond  in faith or react in fear to.

We, as the children of the Most High God, will be tested and tired but it is a promise we shall come forth as gold! God is in the process of taking us broken and needy people and molding us into His very own image. The plans He has for us this year are of good and not of evil to bring us to an expected end.

The key to peace and joy lies not in striving but in submitting to the direction of our All-Knowing Heavenly Father.

Job 23:10 says, "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."

2012 – Here we come!

Having a little fun….practicing our Juggling skills…..:-)

Another Christmas gift exchange!

Back around Thanksgiving we picked names and each person was to make a special gift for the person they picked. We decided to open them during our family planning trip. As always it was so special to see what each person made.

You can’t help but enjoy the many fun things Grandpa and Grandma have at their cottage. One being the stuffed sea creatures.

Some fun family moments!

 Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.

Deuteronomy 1:21

  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9

But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

An unexpected and joyous visit from our dear friends the Neelys fulfilled that desire!

God is so good to bring His children unexpected blessings at just the right time. So thank you Neely Team for blessing the Wilkes Team once again!

What a fun filled 24 hours!!! We had a delicious dinner together prepared by our incredible mother, we decorated Christmas cookies, sang the 12 days of Christmas , played games, and of course talked and laughed all evening and into the morning!

At 11:30 p.m. Dad led us all in a time of prayer. We cried out to God for our families, the church, and our nation. We asked for mercy and wisdom to respond to the challenges and situations that will come across our path this year. We then submitted ourselves to God and resolved to proceed forward. We prayed right into the new year! It was a wonderful way to start off 2012!

Happy New Year!

It was incredible! We are already looking forward to going again next year!

The Hallelujah Chorus:

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
The kingdom of this world is become
the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and of His Christ;
and He shall reign for ever and ever
and He shall reign for ever and ever
and He shall reign for ever and ever
and He shall reign for ever and ever
King of Kings,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
and Lord of Lords,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
King of Kings,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
and Lord of Lords,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
King of Kings,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
and Lord of Lords,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
King of Kings, and Lord of Lords,
and He shall reign for ever and ever
and He shall reign for ever and ever
King of Kings
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
and He shall reign for ever and ever,
for ever and ever,
King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords,
King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords,
and He shall reign for ever and ever,
King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

This was a Christmas party that will be in our memory for years to come!

Our exciting adventure began at the home of Joshua and Lisa. We all enjoyed a tasty array of festive hors’dourves and drinks. While there, each family was given a box to decorate and prepare to fill for a family or individual in ministry. What a wonderful time of the year to let other’s know that you are praying for them and are blessed by their service to our Lord Jesus. Praise the Lord for those who He has called to serve the Lord in full-time ministry.

Our next stop was at the home of Joel and Sarah Potter. Here we partook in a scrumptious family style Christmas dinner and enjoyed more wholesome fellowship. Each person was given the opportunity to write a short note to their ‘ministry family.’

The last stop of the Christmas Dinner was the Barn where awaited a fine spread of desserts and Christmas goodies.

Here we filled our boxes with little gifts, goodies, and words of encouragement. 

A time of talking, laughing, and fellowship over the delicious desserts were enjoyed by all. As well as a memorable gift exchange.

We had the joy of hosting the Snively Reunion at the barn during this wonderful time of the year! Words can’t truly express the blessing it was.

There was many wonderful activities, food, and fellowship to enjoy. But the sweetest time was when we all gathered together for a time of prayer and praise to our Lord. The presence of the Lord was truly there! I was left in awe as I heard the passion, fervency, gratefulness, and longing to be all that Christ would have us be.

As we concluded the evening there was a tighter bond between us all. The desire to spend more time together was evident. Praise the Lord for family!

There is a ‘Cut Your Own Christmas Tree Farm’ about ten minutes from the barn, which offers a great assortment of fir trees to pick from.

When we heard about it we thought it would be a great memory if we all went and cut down our Christmas tree this year. We all cheered at the idea and anticipated the evening together.

We made some fun family memories that night! O, the joys of doing things together!

As we go through these last 9 days before Christmas may we take the time to make family memories. Enjoy one another!

• As our dear friends the Neely’s would say, “Sit long – Talk much -Laugh often.”
• Make cookies and Christmas goodies together for your neighbors.
• Invite a couple families over and go Christmas caroling! Hand out cookies and a Christmas track. The candy cane story is a great track to give out!
• Send a ‘Box of Blessings’ to a missionary, or a family that is in need.
• Look for people that you can bless through your words, time,  a note, or gift.
• Be available! Sometimes we miss those opportunities to bless others because we are so wrapped up in what we are doing! Evaluate what is truly important? How does the Lord want me to be spending my time, energy, and gifting’s?
• But most of all, don’t let the days slip by without taking the time to truly bask in the greatest gift that we have been given- Eternal life through Jesus Christ!

Four days of activity and team work produced 300+ quarts of applesauce, apple jelly, apple butter, and apple pie filling!

We had such a blast working together. Great team work Wilkes Team, Wilkes Clan, Wilkes Team #2, and Thrash family!

Making applesauce with the Thrash family!

Making applesauce with Wilkes Team #2

and the Wilkes Clan!